Self-propelled combine header and feeder mechanism



s. c. HETH 2,681,542

9 Sheets-Sheet l f-- INVENTon u) E .Si Q ID Y A Trae/vis.

June 22,- `1954 SELF-PROPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISMOriginal Filed May 31, 1946 ,June 22, 1954 s. c. HETH 2,681,542

SEEE-PROPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM original Filed Mays1, 194e 9 sheets-sheet 2 HTTOJ/VEV `une 22, 1954 s. C. HETH 2,681,542

SELFA-'PROPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM Original Filed May3l, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. inserm/Y 6.' /7/57/7/ ATTO/ENE? June22, 1954 s. C. HETH 2,681,542

SELEPEOPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM Original Filed May 51,194e 9 sheetshet 4 0 /N www/e @we/VAN 6. /ffrf/ S. C. HETH June 22, 1954SELF-PROPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM lv w W l OriginalFiled May 5l. 1946 1919.6.

June 22, 1954 v s, Q HETH 2,681,542

SELEPRDPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECEANISM original Filed May s1,194e 9 sheets-sheet e /DL EE BIN UNL 040/176 4065/2 v INVENTOR.SHEP/v/l/y 6.' Her/1 BY 4 Ld/fw@ H 7' TOEN/ET).

June 22, 1954 s. c. HETH 2,681,542

SELF-PROPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM Original Filed May31, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 /N VE N 7' 01 Shane/VAN C. HE7/f S. C. HETHJune 22, 1954 SELF-PROFELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM 9Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed May 3l, 1946 INVENTOR.

June 22, 1954 5, C, HETH 2,581,542

SELF-PROPELLED COMBINE HEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM Original Filed May3l, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR.

5 /jz gaf/74N 6 /757/1 y Patented June 22, `1954 SELF-PROPELLED COMBINEHEADER AND FEEDER MECHANISM Sherman C. Heth, Racine, `Wis., assigner toJ. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Originalapplication May 31, 1946, Serial No. 673,557. Divided and thisapplication October 26, 1950, Serial No. 192,290

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a self-propelled combination harvesting andthreshing machine or so called combina This application is a division ofapplication Serial No. 673,557, led May 31, 1946, now Patent 2,528,275.

One of the general objects of the invention is to simplify and improvethe construction of a machine of this character, doing this in such away, as to make it easier and more economical to manufacture themachine, enhance its performance and emciency in the eld, and adapt itto ready and easy control by a single operator.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide an improvedheader auger construction, one which is eiciently operable through thefull width of the header auger trough to bring the harvested material tothe center, While at the same time, feeding the material rearwardlyunder the auger so as to insure its delivery to the feed rake whichextends from the center of the bottom of the auger trough to theentrance of the threshing machine.

Massing or accumulation of material in the auger trough, overloading ofthe header auger, or spilling of the material therefrom cannot occur.Rapid and efficient feeding of the cut material from the auger troughinto said rake is insured and the feed rake is so constituted, organizedwith the other instrumentalities and so driven that the load is cn thelower run of the feeder rake which is kept taut.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a new andadvantageous runningand steering gear construction, one which is simple,

rugged, and durable in character and leads itself to ready control bythe operator.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide novel andadvantageous driving and control mechanism for the operatinginstrumentalities of the header and of the threshing machine, theparticulars of which will hereinafter be fully described and claimed. Inthis respect the power delivery of the engine or power plant is divided,a suiiicient component going to the wheels, which propel the machine,and the other going, after the manner of a power take-off, or laterally,to the instrumentalities of the header and threshing machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a threshing machinehaving a grain carrier rake of novel and advantageous construction andoperating characteristics.

Still another object oi the invention is to provide a novel means forsupporting, and raising and lowering the header, one which is yieldableor cushioning in character to take care of operating shocks and supportthe header in leld operations so that its hinged or pivotal connectionswill be relieved of excessive or destructive strains.

Another object is to utilize in a novel manner in the organization andbuild-up of a self-propelled combine, mechanisms manufactured under highproduction conditions so as to provide in a self-propelled combine,mechanical parts of high quality and reliability without excessive cost.

A further object is to provide a novel arrangement of platform andcontrols for a self-propelled combine.

These objects of the invention and other ancillary advantages areattained by the mechanism, construction, and arrangement illustrated inthe accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in longitudinal vertical section and partly inelevation, somewhat diagrammatic in character, showing a self-propelledcombination harvesting and threshing machine embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view looking at the front or head end of themachine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view looking at one sideof the header and illustrating the reel, header auger, and sickledrives;

Fig. i is an enlarged perspective view illustrating chain and sprocketgearing utilized for driving the various instrumentalities of thethreshing machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View in side elevation showing theforward end of the machine and especially the driving mechanism employedby the engine for driving the front wheels and also the operatingmechanism for the gearing incorporated in this driving mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view, infront elevation with partsremoved, of the front wheel driving gear illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View in top plain showing the way in which thefeed rake is combined with the auger and auger trough and alsoillustrating the feed rake drive and the drives for the reel and headerauger;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic layout illustrating the drive lines between theengine or power plant and the instrumentalities of the header andthreshing machines;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged View in horizontal crosssection taken on line 9-9of Fig. 5 showing the way in which the power is taken from the engineshaft and delivered to the driving mechanism for the ground Wheels andthe instrumentalities of the header and threshing machine;

Fig. is an enlarged view in vertical cross section taken on line IG-I IJof Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing the way in whichthe V-belt pulley drive is combined with the variable speed selectivetransmission;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary View partly in top plan and partly inhorizontal cross section illustrating the differential and the reductiongearing employed between the sleeve shafts of the differential and alsoillustrating diagrammatically, the brakes combined with the differentialto facilitate power steering of the machine;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detailed view partly in side elevation, andpartly in longitudinal vertical cross section, showing the poweroperated means for raising and lowering the header and supporting it atvarious adjustments;

' Fig. 14 is a detailed View partly in horizontal cross section in theline Iii-I4 of Fig. 13, and partly in top plan showing the reversinggear employed to serve the means which raises and lowers the header;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic View in tcp plan showing the hand operatedsteering gear;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing only one ofthe rear steering wheels, of which two are, of course employed, andillustrating the way in which both are mounted and controlled;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on line i-I'I ofFig. 16;

Figs. 18 and 19 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken on linesa-a and b-b respectively of Fig. l; and

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line c-c ofFig. 5.

General construction Referring to the drawings, and especially to Fig.1, it will be seen that a self-propelled combine employing the presentinvention comprises generally, a main frame or chassis C supported atits front end by power driven ground wheels W and at its rear end by apair of steering wheels W (see also Figs. 15 and 16 for the steeringgear).

A vertical frame-work or superstructure comprising principally fourvertical posts or columns P, preferably cf angle iron and suitablybraced and cross connected, is supported on and secured to the membersof the frame or chassis C. The

Vposts or columns P Vserve to support a separator and threshing machineM in a cantilever fashion and also provide support for a grain receivingbin B.

A header H is adjustably supported on the forward posts P and isequipped with a reel R, a

sickle S, a header auger A, and a feed rake F.

An internal combustion engine E is provided for propelling the machineand for driving the instrumenta-lities of the header H and of theseparator and threshing machine M, and is supplied with fuel from a tankT, Fig. 6.

The header by rotating a shaft 2 which has crank arms 3 (only one ofwhich is shown) connected by links 4 with the header H (see Figure l).As shown in Figs. 1 and 13, the shaft 2 has an actuating crank arm 5fixed thereto. A reversing gear set 5 (see Figs. 13 and 14) drives ascrew in either direction or allows the same to remain stationarydepending upon the adjustment of its jaw clutch 8a.

The gear set 6 is enclosed in a housing or gear box 8 rockably supportedon the frame or chassis C in any suitable way, as for example by meansof bearings 8a and 8b carried by the frame and co-acting respectivelywith trunnions 3c and 3d projecting from the sides of the gear box. Thepower input shaft 3e for the gear set 5 extends through the sleeve-liketrunnion 8c. The shaft 8e drives the intermeshing beveled gears of thegear set 6 and is itself in turn driven from the engine E in a mannerwhich will be hereinafter more fully described. n

Shaft 8e is driven through a combination sprocket and safety clutch 8factuated by a chain 3g, Fig. 8 driven from a sprocket 8h on fan shaft68.

The screw l extends through a guide 9 disposed within and pinned as at 9to an elongated hollow or sleeve shaft I I and meshes with a nut It alsodisposed within and pinned as at Ill to the shaft. The shaft II ismounted forV fore and aft movement, but is held against rotation. Oneend of the shaft II is slidably interiitted with a protecting and guidesleeve I2 carried by the housing 8 of the gear set 6. The opposite endof the shaft II has a yieldable or cushioning driving connection withthe actuating crank arm 5, the yieldable or cushioning drivingconnection being designated as a whole at I3. The driving connection I3comprises a compression coil spring I4 having one end abutting a plateI5 disposed within the shaft I I and Xed thereto. The other end of thespring engages a sliding plate I5 fitted for sliding movement in theshaft II. The plate i6 is centrally apertured to receive the shank of aheaded bearing pin il. The head of the bearing pin I' is provided with aconcave recess interengaged with a driving pin I8 which also passesthrough elongated slots I9 in the shaft II and is in driving connectionwith the actuating crank arm 5. By shifting the jaw clutch Ea in onedirection, the header may be lowered whereas byy shifting clutch 6c inthe other direction the header may be raised; and hy shifting the clutch6a. in its intermediate or neutral position, the selected adjustment ofthe header is maintained by the screw and nut mechanism '1, 9 and I0.The heavy shocks and impacts imposed upon the header in field operationsare absorbed by the spring Ill and its hinged or pivotal connections arerelieved of excessive or destructive strains. Also shocks due to theinstantaneous engagement of the jaw clutches are absorbed by the springI4.

The header auger The header auger A, Figs. 2, 3 and 7, which is of noveland special construction, operates in a suitable auger trough 25incorporated in the structure ofthe header,

The flights or blade-like convolutions 26 and 2l' of the auger A arefixed to a common shaft or axis 2B rotatably supported at its end insuitable bearings provided therefor on the header as illustrateddiagrammatically at 29 in Fig. 7. The flights 2 6 and 2l are oppositelypitched, that is, they have left and right hand leads respectively so asto feed the material delivered to the trough from the ends thereof tothe center thereof (see Figs. 2 and 7) Although other arrangements arecontemplated, it has also been found advantageous to have one set offlights approximately 180 ahead of the other. The auger functions notonly to feed the material from the ends to the center of the augertrough, but also feeds it under the auger, The meeting ends of theflights 26 and 21 at the center of the auger are of special constructionand are specially and advantageously inter-related. They overlap in anopen fashion and are preferably not joined together or joined to anyother element. It has been found advantageous to have the flightsoverlap for a distance lengthwise of the auger equivalent toapproximately 25% of the diameter of the auger. It has been also foundadvantageous to have the pitch of the auger substantially equal to itsdiameter. With such a construction, massing or accumulation of materialin the auger trough, overloading of the auger or spilling of thematerial therefrom, cannot occur, and rapid and efficient feeding of thematerial to the feed rake from the auger trough is insured.

While the overlapped relation of the auger flights has been described asthe preferred arrangement, it is not intended to limit the presentdisclosure to such construction, but it is ccntemplated that the flightsmay be terminated for example in the same axial plane in front of thefeed rake, but preferably spaced apart so as to avoid presenting aclosed V-shaped pocket to the material which is being fed under theauger. Similarly the flights may be terminated in different axial planesbut not overlapped within the contemplation of the invention. Stripperbars 26a and 21a extend forwardly from auger trough 25 into proximity toflights 26 and 21 respectively and serve to prevent winding of materialaround the auger in well-known manner. The material is prevented fromrotating, being con` strained to move longitudinally toward the feedrake F. l

The feed mice The feed rake F (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8) comprises a pair ofendless chains 30 cross connected by slats 35a, the chains 3l! beingreeved about upper driving sprockets 3l, lower driven sprockets 32 andintermediate idler and vtensioning sprockets 33. The lower active run 30of the feed rake F travels up along and a slight distance above the feeddeck 34 incorporated in the header construction and extending fromapproximately the center portion of the auger trough to the entrance ofthe threshing machine or separator M.

The harvested material is fed upwardly beneath the feed rake in themanner disclosed in the application of Norman R. Krause and Sherman C.Heth, Serial No. 438,014, filed April 9, 1942, now abandoned with theexception that, in the above application the feed rake is substantiallyentirely enclosed within the feeder house except for an opening in theside for admitting the auger. In the present instance the feeder houseis of necessity open at the front. The upper run of feed rake F is ofcourse running downwardly toward auger A, and in order to minimize oreliminate any tendency for the auger to throw out of the machine anyprematurely `threshed grain or other material, for example travelingdownwardly with the upper portion of rake R, a hood or baille 34a isextended forwardly from auger through 25 over auger A in the region offeed rake F and has a strip of yieldable material 34h approaching asclosely as practical to flights 26 and 21. Any material stripped fromrake F by auger A and thrown upwardly will be intercepted by hood 34aand directed back into the auger. Any material thrown forwardly by theauger will be intercepted by incoming material being impelled by reel R,and so prevented from being lost out of trough 25.

The threshing machine The casing 35 of the threshing machine M may be ofany suitable construction and as previously indicated its forward endportion is secured to and supported by the posts or columns P while themajor portion thereof overhangs the chassis C after the manner of acantilever, although auxiliary supporting elements may be extendedbetween casing 35 and chassis C if desired, within the contemplation ofthe invention.

The threshing machine M (see Fig. 1) embodies in its construction acylinder 36, concave 31, beater 38, straw rack 39, shaker screens 4d,fan 4I, grain auger 42, and tailings auger 43, all of any standard orsuitable construction. Also embodied in the threshing machine is a graincarrier rake designated generally at and of special construction. Thegrain carrier rake 45 carries the grain, fragments of straw, tailings,etc., coming predominately through concave 3'! rearwardly on one passand also carries similar material coming through straw rack 39 forwardlyon the other pass, The grain carrier rake (see Figs. 1, 18 and 19)comprises a pair of endless chains 45 cross connected by slats 41 andtrained about driving sprockets 48 and driven sprockets 49. rIhe portionof the lower run of the grain carrier rake 45a which extends rearwardlyfrom the driving sprockets 48 to a point overlying the forward ends ofthe shaker screens 49| travels along and over a smooth imperforate sheetmetal plate 50 while the portion of the upper1 run of the carrier rake45 which extends forwardly from the driven sprockets 49 to` a pointoverlying the forward ends of the shaker screens 4U travels over asmooth imperforate sheet metal plate 5l. With this construction thematerial falling through the grain carrier rake and onto the plate 5Bwill be carried rearwardly and delivered to the shaker screens ill whilematerial falling from the straw rack 39 onto the plate 5l will becarried forwardly and delivered to the shaker screens 4S.

Running gear and vehicle propulsion mechanism.

The threshing machine is equipped with a pair of front driving wheels Wand a pair of rear steering wheels W.

lThe front wheels W are xed to front axles rotatably supported insuitable bearings et (see Figs. 11 and l2) provided therefore in thehousing of a selective speed transmission designated generally at 51.The selective speed transmission 51 is manipulated by means of aconventional hand lever 58, It is incorporated in t-he drive linebetween the -engine E and the front axles 55 and is securely bolted orotherwise fastened to the frame or chassis C.

The engine shaft iscoupled as at Si (see Fig. 9) to an extension shaft62 rotatably supported in bearings 63-63 provided therefor in the endclosure e4 of the flywheel housing @4a of the engine. The splined end 65of the shaft 62 is operatively interconnected with and drives a variablespeed belt and pulley gearing designated generally at 66 and of the typeemploying expansible cone-like pulleys and a cooperable V-belt of theedge-active type (see Figs. 5, 6, 9 and 10). The belt and pulley gearingin turn drives the input shaft 51 of the variable spe-ed transmission51. The transmission 51 acts through a differential 51 and reductiongearing 63 to drive the front axles 55 on which the front wheels W aremounted and secured.

' An important advantage arises out of the arn rangement just describedin that engine E, transmission and axle 51, its housing and accompanying parts such as differential 51 and brakes ist, are preferablyidentical with corresponding parts cf a tractor, suitable parts beingselected from the tractor production line and altered as necessary toadapt them to their new environment, as will further appear. Y. Thegearing and other mechanism can thus be of much better grade than wouldotherwise be possible in an inexpensive machine such as a combine.

Variable speed V-belt' and expansive con@ pulley gearing The belt andpulley gearing 56 shown to advantage in Figs. 5, 6, 9 and l0 comprisesupper V driving pulley members 1U and 1|, lower V driven pulley members12 and 13 and an edgeactive V-belt 14.

The p-ulley members 1|) and 1| have hubs 15 and 15 splined on theportion 65 of the shaft extension 62 and also have mating cone disks 11and 18 integral with their respective hubs 15 and 1G.

The driving pulley member 1| is chambered as at 19 to accommodate, incertain relative axial adjustments of the pulley members 1i) and 1|, aloose ring or sheave 8B on which the belt 14 rests in the neutralposition of the belt and pulley gearing 66. The loose ring 86 isdisposed between the pulley members 'lil and 1i and is mounted on theportion B of extension shaft 62 by means of a ball bearing assembly 8|so that while the loose ring 80 may not shift axially with respect tothe shaft extension 82, the rotation of the shaft extension 62 will notbe imparted to the loose ring 80. To accomplish this purpose, the innerrace of the ball bearing assembly 8| is fixed to the shaft extension(i2, the cuter race is xed to the hub of the loose ring S0 and the ballsinterposed between the races provide for the desired capacity for freerelative rotary movement as between the loose ring and shaft.

The portion of the pulley member 1| defining the chamber 1Q is providedwith oil drainage passageways 82 to prevent access of oil to belt 1liand impairment thereof.

An oil retainer 83 is provided between the inner end of the hub of thepulley member and a cap 83a bolted or otherwise fixed to a portion ofend closure 64.

A shifter 84, preferably of cap-like construction, is mounted on the hub16 of the pulley member 1i so as to constrain the hub 1G and pulleymember 1| to move axially with it along the portion 65 of shaftextension E2 while allowing the hub 16, pulley member 1| and the shaftextension 65 to rotate freely relative to it. This is accomplished byinterposing a ball bearing assembly 85 between the shifter 84 and thehub portion 16 of pulley member 1i with the inner race member fixed tothe hub, the outer race member secured to the shifter, and the ballsbetween the races providing for the desirable relative rotation.

' hubs 36 and 81 splined on the input shaft 51 of the transmission 51and also have mating cone disk portions 3S! and 99 integral with theirrespective hubs at and 81. The driven pulley member 13 is chambered asat 9|. A ring or annulus 92 integral with the disk 89 of pulley member12, telescopes into the chamber 9| and bridges the space between theinner peripheral edges of the cone shaped portions of the disks 89 and96 in all relative axial adjustments of the disks. The chambered portionwithin annulus S52 is provided with oil drain passageways 93.

A shifterrd, similar in construction to the shifter 84, is combined withthe hub 86 of disk 89 by means of a ball bearing assembly e5 so as to becapable of positively shifting'the hub 86 and its integral disk 89axially in either direction while leaving the disk 89, hub 85, and shaft83 free to rotate relative thereto.

A shifting lever Q6, Figs. 5 and 6, is fulcr-umed at its lower end asindicated at 8S on the transmission housing 51. Adjacent its upper endthe shifting lever Q6 is provided with a yoke formation Q1 (see Figs. 5and 6) which straddles the shifting cap 84 and is pivotally connectedthereto by virtue of the provision of trunnions 98 fixed to andprojecting laterally from the cap 84 and intertted with aligned pivotopenings provided in the opposite sides of the yoke S1. A hand lever iiconveniently manipulable by the operator is connected to the upper endof the shifting lever Se as will appear so as to control the rate ofmovement of the combine and is rigidly connected with a rack portionEE!! extending through a detent plate lilla xed on a guard rail Hill),rack Hl! providing a plurality of downwardly open notches ||l|c engagingplate |0|a for holding rack |01 in selected positions. A special notch|B|d when engaged with the plate results in a neutral or non-movingcondition of the combine. Rack lill is connected to a lever lille bymeans of a pivot Hilf, lever |0|e being fulcrumed on a tubular or othersuitable pivot mig bolted or otherwise fixed to brackets llh and ili.Lever le actuates, through a push rod ilj pivoted thereto at it! llc alink 32 pivoted to an ear H13 on lever Q5, link m2 being pivoted todownwardly extending leverarm [03a rigid with a rock shaft ISb having asecond downwardly extending arm H330 to which push rod llHy is pivotallyconnected. A second shifting lever |95 has its upper end fulcrumed at|06 to a bracket lea stationary part of the machine. The lower end ofthe shifting lever |65 is bifurcated as at |01 and has the forks or armsof the bifurcated end notched as at |08, and embracing transverselyaligned trunnions |09 fixed to and projecting laterally from theshifting cap 9d. A link Il@ has one end pivotally interconnected as at lto an intermediate portion of the shifting lever 95 and its other endslidably and yieldably interconnected to an intermediate portion of theshifting lever m5 as indicated at l |2 (see Fig. 20) so as toco-ordinate the action of lever |05 with the action of the lever andconsequently co-ordinate the action of the lower driven pulley members12 and 13 with the action of the upper driving pulley members 19 and 1|.As seen in Fig. 20, link lo slides through a block |20. which has atrunnion l |2b pivotally engaged with lever 05, the block being urged tothe right in Fig. 20 by a spring H20 in the present instance compressedbetween the block and lock nuts |2d on link i lil. Spring l IZc servesto urge levers 96 and |05 continuously toward each other so as to tendto close up the pulleys and keep belt 14 at a predetermined tensionthroughout the normal range of driving speeds. However, when it isdesirable to stop the forward travel of the combine, lever 9, throughthe action of the hand lever |00, is moved to the right thereby movingpulley member 1| away from member 10 and causing belt 14 to run on asmaller effective diameter. At the same time link H moves lever so as toshift pulley member 12 toward member 13. Belt 14 will then run on alarger diameter on the driven pulley, the total effect being tosubstantially reduce the speed of movement of the combine. When pulleymember 12 contacts member 13, the slowest possible speed is reached.Further movement of lever |00 with accompanying further compression ofspring |2e then moves pulley member 1| further away from member so thatbelt 14 drops onto ring l! which, as above described, remainsstationary, members 10 and 1| continuing to rotate without driving belt14. To avoid dragging of members 10 and 1| on belt 14, ring 80 isprovided with a centering groove 80a. with which belt 14 engages underthese conditions.

Reverse motion of lever |00 allows members 10 and 1| to frictionallyengage the edges of belt 14 and start the combine, the belt slippingmomentarily while overcoming the inertia but then driving at the desiredspeed under control of lever |00.

When the speed of travel is to be reduced, it is necessary to 'compresspulley members 12 and 13 which may require substantial force, due to theWedging tendency of the working belt to force them apart. Spring |2c isso proportioned that it will close up completely after limited movementof lever 96 if lever |05 does not move, and further movement of lever 96actuates lever |05 positively through link 2 and the now unyieldingspring.

Variable speed selective type transmission, differential and reductiongearing drive for front wheels.

As shown in Figs. 5, 11 and 12, and as previously indicated, the drivenpulley members 2 and 3 are splined on the input shaft 51 of theselective variable speed transmission 51. Reduction gearing 5 transmitsthe power from the input shaft 51 to the main drive shaft I6 of thetransmission. The transmission includes the standard change speed gears1 controllable by gear shift lever 58 and also has a pinion ||9 meshingwith and driving the master gear |20 of the differential 61.

The adaption of tractor parts to the present invention applies to theshaft I6 in transmission 51. In use in a tractor, shaft ||6 is extendedto the rear as a power take-off shaft, while for combine use, with theaddition of the reduction gear 5 it becomes the main power input shaftas stated.

Steering gear A special mounting is provided for the rear steeringwheels W. As shown in Fig. `16 the rear end of the chassis C is equippedwith two parallel cross channels |25 and |26 rigidly fastened to themain side members 'of the chassis C by means of rivets |21 and gussetplates |28. Longitudinally aligned bearings |25 and |30 are provided onthe cross channels |25 and |26. A supporting shaft or tube |3| is ttedin said bearings for rotative movement about its longitudinal axis.

Suitable collars pinned or otherwise xed to the shaft |3| prevent `axialmovement thereof while permitting free rotation about its longitudinalaxis. The rearward end of the supporting shaft |3| projects well to therear of the rearward cross channel |23 and its rearward extremity issecurely fastened to the central portion of the rear main axle |32 andbraced in its connection therewith by braces |32. The rear axle assemblyof the machine is of the standard type commonly employed at the front ofautomotive vehicles of the passenger or truck type having the usual rearwheel drive. This main axle |32 is inter-connected with the bifurcatedends of the usual stub axles by the usual king pins |34 so that thewheels W mounted on the stub axles |33 may be swung for steering. Thestub axles are inter-connected by the standard tie rod |35 and arms |35.An arm |33 rigid with one of the arms |35 is suitably inter-connectedwith the rearward end of a drag link |31. The forward end of the draglink |31 is pivotally inter-connected to the apex of a triangularh7shaped lever designated generally at |38. The lever |38 is constructedof four metal bars, namely a base bar |33, inclined side bars |40, eachfixed at one end to an end of the base bar |39 and pivotallyinter-connected at their meeting ends to the forward end of the draglink |31 and a central bar |4| also interconnected at one end with themeeting ends of the side bars |40 and pivotally inter-connected with theforward end of the drag link |31 while its opposite end is welded orotherwise fixed to the central portion of the base bar |39. A fulcrumpin |42 (see Fig. 1'?) is welded at its upper end to the intersectingportions of the base bar |39 and central bar |4| and is rotatably ttedin a sleeve bearing |43 provided therefor and mounted on and welded tosupporting brackets |44 carried by and welded to the cross channel |25.A washer |45 is interposed between the underside of the central bar I4|and the upper end of the sleeve bearing |43. A cotter pin |46 limitsupward displacement of the fulcrum pin |42. Steering cables |41 and |48are connected to the base corners of the triangular lever |38, andreeved about suitably positioned guide pulleys |49 and connected to theends of a sprocket chain |50 (see Fig. 15). The sprocket chain |50meshes with a sprocket wheel |5| fixed to a shaft |52 in turn driven bychain and sprocket gearing |53 from a steering shaft |54equipped at itsupper end with a steering wheel |55.

To further facilitate steering and especially sharp turning, footoperated brake assemblies |56 are interposed between sleeve shafts |53driven from the differential 61 and the reduction gear sets 33 (see Fig.12). Foot pedals |51, Figs. 5 and 6, within convenient reach of theoperator when he occupies seat |58 are provided to control the clutchand brake assemblies. Suitable links and levers |59 operativelyinter-connect each foot pedal |51 and its respective brake assembly |56so that pressure on either pedal will cause application of the brake onthat side of the combine and assist materially in steering in thatdirection. In this manner sharp turns may be made with ease, and Workingin small fields is greatly facilitated.

When it is desired to run at relatively high speed, as for example onthe highway, such individual operation of the brakes is ordinarily notdesirable, and the two pedals |51 may then be latched together by alatch |59a engaged with a bracket |535 and engageable with a bracket 1li |5Sc to'lock the pedals to move in unison. Actuation of either pedalthen operates both brakes as will be understood.

D'rioe gear for the header and threshing machine The engine E isutilized also as the source of power for driving the variousinstrumentalities of the header and of the threshingr machine. For thispurpose a shaft ist (see Fig. 9) is extended laterally and horizontallyfrom the shaft extension E2 and is driven therefrom by bevel gearing|5I. The shaft ISG is supported for rotation in bearings |52 providedtherefor in a supporting housing |63 bolted to a gear casing Ill formingpart of end closure 6d which is in turn bolted to and supported onflywheel housing 64a. An additional supporting arm |53 integral with thehousing W23 and suitably supported on the frame of the machine isemployed for supporting a belt tightener as will appear.

A drum-like driving pulley IE5 is fixed to the ,portion of the shaft it@which projects beyond its housing. A belt |56, Figs. 5 and 6, is reevedabout the driving pulley M45 also about a driven pulley E67 fixed to thefan shaft |63. A belt tightener is provided for the belt |65 and maytake the form of an idler pulley |69 engaged with the belt |66 andcontrolled as to position by a hand lever lill. For this purpose abovementioned bracket 63 carries a pivot l'ia on which is journaled abifurcated lever arm lieb on which above mentioned idler ISS isrotatabiy supported. Lever llb is controlled from above mentioned leveriiil by means of a linkage generally designated as lll. Lever l'l isfixed on a rook-shaft or tube Hic and having a downwardly extendingV armil' lb preferably bifurcated and enclosing a spring ilie as best seen inFig. 5. Spring i's'ic is secured to a cap ilid adjustably fixed on a rodIlle pivoted at l'iif to above mentioned arm iib. Spring ille is engagedwith arm iib as by means of a hook and pin connection lilo. Forwardmovement of lever ile seen in Fig. 5 will therefore cause backwardmovement of arm iiib and tensioning of spring ille. This will causemovement of rod ille to the 'left and swinging of lever arm Eiilb inaelockwise direction about pivot ila, pressing idler l against beltitil. A convenient control ci the threshing machinery is thus pro- 'Yvided, belt being loose enough so that pulley VMiti rotates freelywithin the belt without driving, inthe absence of pressure from idler|69. A spring lille, Fig. 6, pulls idler its away from belt itt whenpermitted by lever lll.V The latter has a Quadrant il ii providedpreferably with a single notch engaged by a detent liiy so that leverlid has only one engaged position. With lever 'ile in this position, capil id is adjusted to tension spring il' i c for the desired tension inbelt whereby this 'tension will be automatically attained andVmaintained whenever lever |73 is latehed, without special attention onthe part of the operator. Furthermore, it becomes impossible toover-stress belt itt so long as spring |l|c is Vcorrectly adjusted,since the ultimate pressure is a function of the spring pressure.

Pulley Se is provided with flanges as la, Fig. Y9, to prevent belt it@from running off of pulley 55 when it is not driving.

Pulley |65 is provided with an additional groove il?, for driving a binunloading auger. A belt iia extends upwardly to a pulley |12b actuating,through fa clutch lZc .a shaft |l3 conl will not be forced away fromdeck 3G bythe pres-V nected in driving relation to an unloading aug'ei|711 within above mentioned bin'l. Auger H4 works within a spout l'la`extending from bin B and having an extension llh in position tooverhang a receiving vehicle. Bin B may therefore be unloaded into atruck or the like while the combine is moving, or the combine may bestopped beside a receptacle and unloaded, whichever is most convenient.The capacity of auger |14 is ample to unload the bin regardless of theadditional grain being delivered into it by elevator |32.

Motion is transmitted from the fan shaft |53 to the instrumentalities ofthe threshing machine and of the header. A convenient way for thetransmission of this motion is by means of chain and sprocket gearing.Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 8 it will be seen that chain andsprocket gearing is provided to drive the cylinder 35 from the fan shaftIt. Chain and sprocket gearing |16 is provided to drive the beater 38and also through a slip clutch |71, a shaft |78. The shaft |18 in turndrives the sprocket chains 3i) of the feed rake F. The beater shaft 3Bacts through chain and sprocket gearing lfl to drive the tailingselevator drive sprocket ISI, a tailings elevator Isla, Fig. 1, ofwellknown form being extended along the side of threshing machineportion M and actuating above mentioned tailings auger 43. Elevator |8|ahas a spout portion |8|b discharging into a hopper |8|c carried by awall of feeder house H and having an outlet or tailings conducting spoutI8 l d directed so as to discharge the tailings into the space betweenthe runs of feed rake 39 or on top of the ascending run 3e of rake F. lnthis manner is avoided any dimoulty from throwing out of the open frontof the feeder house material which might be engaged by the descendingrun 3d of the rake F. This arrangement and hood 35a assist each other inpreventing loss of grain.

Above mentioned chain 8g also drives a sprocket |3|e, Fig. 8, which isconnected through a shaft 42a with and drives above mentioned grainauger i2 and which drives in well-known manner a clean grain elevator|82.

The driven shaft |3 of the feed rake F is Yutilized through chain andsprocket gearing l to transmit motion to the reel shaft i85. `The drivensprocket |85a of chainV and sprocket gearing i8@ is provided witha'crank pin i3?. The crank pin 81 drives a-pitman it which actsthrough'a bell crank las to reciprocate the cutting blade lila of thesickle'S.

Sprocket |afr is fixed on the extension of shaft or core-portion 23 ofauger A so that rotation of sprocket |85a drives auger A. lt will now beapparent that all the instrumentalities of header H are Vdriven throughfeeder rake F. This is` advantageous for the reason that header 'H'chain gearing'ld and H36 'is provided inV spite of the fact that they donot line up with clutch sprocket lll. Furthermore, the additional Vload.on sprockets 32, maintains a desirable tension in the lower run 38 ofVfeed rake F lso that vigt sure of material being conveyedupwardly-thereon.

acelera The manner in which the propulsion and steering of the machineis controlled has been previously described. The control of the instruwmentalities of the header and of the threshing machine is also under theconvenient control of the operator bysimple manipulation of the handlever [lil which applies or relieves the belt |65 of tension and therebyeffects the drive of the fan shaft i 68 or allows the same to stand atrest.

Shifting of clutch 6a for raising and lowering header H is accomplishedby rocking a foot pedal |91, suitable link connections of well-knownform extending to the clutch and shifting it in response to rocking ofthe pedal. Rocking the pedal in one direction causes the header to riseand rocking the pedal in the other direction causes the header to lower.

While I have shown and described one construction in which the inventionmay be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that theconstruction shown has been selected merely for the purpose ofillustration or example, and that various changes in the size, shape,and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. In a feeding arrangement for use with a self-propelled combine,having a thresher part including a threshing mechanism and a header partand running gear, an auger trough of a length in excess of the widthofsaid running gear, a feeder house extending rearwardly and openingforwardly into said auger trough, and means for actuating said threshingmechanism, said arrangement comprising the combination of an augerconveyor in said auger trough extending substantially the lengththereof, right and left flights on said auger approaching each otherfrom opposite ends of said auger, said flights terminating adjacent theforward opening of said feeder house and spaced circumferentially fromeach other and overlapping axially of the auger in front of the forwardopening of said feeder house, and a feed rake within said feeder houseand having a portion positioned within said forward opening andextending into stripping relation with the overlapping flights of saidauger, and means for actuating said auger and said feeder rake.

2. A combination harvesting and threshing machine comprising a headerpivotally supported at the forward end of the machine, and an adjustablesupport for the header inclusive of a screw and nut mechanism combinedwith the frame of the machine and a resilient connection between theheader and the screw and nut mechanism for raising and lowering thesame, said yieldable connection being adapted to absorb impacts andshocks in eld operation.

3. A combination harvester and threshing machine comprising a headerpivotally supported at the forward end of the machine, an adjustablesupport for the header and a yieldable interconnection between saidsupport and said header adapted to absorb impacts and shocks in eldoperation.

4. In a harvester thresher having an auger trough, an auger in thetrough, a feeder house opening forwardly into said auger trough andhaving an endless flexible feed rake therein providing an upwardlymoving lower run and a downwardly moving upper arm, and a bailleinterposed in the upper portion of the front opening of the feeder houseand approaching said auger i4 so as to intercept any materialinadvertently fed downwardly by said downwardly moving upper run andtending to be thrown upwardly by said auger.

5. A harvester portion for use in a harvesterthresher includinggenerally a harvester part and a thresher part, said portion comprisinga feed auger including a core element, right and left hand auger flightsfixed to the core element and operative to feed materialdelivered to theauger from the ends thereof to the center thereof, the meeting ends ofthe flights of the auger overlapping approximately 25% of the diameterof the feed auger, and a rotating feed rake portion disposed to receivethe material delivered to it by the flights of the auger and positionedclosely enough to said auger nights to strip material therefrom.

6. A harvester portion for use in a harvesters thresher includinggenerally a harvester part and a thresher part, said portion comprisinga feed auger including a core element, :right and left hand augerflights fixed to the core element and operative to feed materialdelivered to the auger from the ends thereof to the center thereof, theflights of the auger ending in the region of the center thereof inangularly spaced rela tion and overlapping axially of said core elementto anextent of approximately 25% of the dia-*neter of said feed auger,and a rotating feed rake portion disposed to receive the materialdelivered to it by the flights of the auger and positioned closelyenough to said auger flights to .strip material therefrom.

7. A tailings return for use with a harvesterthresher including athresher part and a harvester part having a feeder house and a flexibleendless undershot feed rake therein providing an outwardly moving upperrun and an inwardly moving lower run; said tailings return comprising atailings conducting spout leading into said feeder house and so directedas to discharge tailings between the runs of said feed rake on theinwardly moving lower run thereof.

8. A header actuating feed rake for use with a harvester-thresherincluding a header portion having a sickle and a conveyor, a thresherportion having a power source, and a feeder housing connecting saidheader portion and said thresher portion; said feed rake comprising anendless chain-like flexible element and driving and driven rotatablemembers on which said flexible element is supported within said feederhouse for urging by its movement, material harvested by said header fromsaid header to said thresher, and connections from said power source foractuating said driving rotatable member and from said driven rotatablemember for actuating said sickle and conveyor from rotation of saiddriven rotatable member caused by movement of said feed rake.

9. A harvester portion for use with a self-propelled combine having athresher part including a threshing mechanism and a running gear, saidharvester including an auger trough of a length in excess of the widthof said running gear, a feeder house extending rearwardly and openingforwardly into said auger trough, said harvester portion comprising anauger conveyor in said auger trough extending substantially the lengththereof, right and left flights on said auger approaching each otherfrom opposite ends of said auger, said flights terminating adjacent theforward opening of said feeder house and spaced circumferentially fromeach other and overlap- Y Al15 ping axially of the auger in front of theforward opening cf said feeder house, and a moving feed rake within saidfeeder house and having a portion rotating suiciently close to theoverlapping flights to strip material therefrom.

1G. A header actuating feed rake for use with a harvester-threasherincluding a header portion Y having a sickle and a conveyor, a thresherporf tion having a power source, and a feed house connecting said headerportion and said thresher portion; said feed rake comprising an endlessflexible chain-like element having upper and lower runs supported ondriving and driven rotatable members within said feeder house for urgingby its movement, material harvested by said header from said header tosaid thresher, connections from said power source for actuating saiddriving rotatable member for actuating said feed rake and through itsaid sickle and conveyor, and connections from said driven rotatablemember for actuating said sickle and conveyor from rotation of saiddriven rotatable member caused by movement of said feed rake.

11. A header actuating feed rake for use with a harvester-thresherincluding a header portion having a sickle and a conveyor, a thresherportion having a power source connected with said thresher and a feederhouse connecting said header portion and said thresher portion; saidfeed rake comprising an endless chain-like flexiblc element and drivingand driven rotatable members on which said iiexible element is supportedwithin said feeder house for urging by its movement, material harvestedby said header from said header to said-thresher, and connections fromsaid thresher for actuating said driving rotatable member for operatingsaid feed rake and through it said sickle and conveyor, and connectionsfrom said driven rotatable member for actuating said sickle and conveyorfrom rotation oi' said driven rotatable member caused by movement ofsaid feed rake.

12. A harvester portion for use in a harvesterthresher includinggenerally a harvester part and a thresher part, said portion comprisinga feed auger including a core element, right and left hand auger flightsfixed to the core element and operative to feed material delivered tothe auger from the ends thereof to the center thereof, and a rotatingfeed rake portion disposed to receive the material delivered to it bythe ights ci' the auger and positioned closely enough to said augerflights to strip material therefrom.

13. A combination harvesting and threshing machine comprising a headerpivotally supported at the forward end of the machine, and an adjustablesupport for the header inclusive of a screw and nut mechanism connectedbetween the frame of the machine and said header, and a resilientelement interposed in said adjustable support in series with said screwand nut mechanism, said adjustable support serving for raising andlowering said header, and said resilient element absorbing impacts andAshocks in field operation.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberNamel Date 1,114,454 Fetrow et al. Oct. 20, 1914 1,728,150 ChristiansenSept. 10, 1929 2,113,999 Troyer 'Apr. 12, 1938 2,170,573 Pierson Aug.22, 1939 2,310,577 Everett Feb. 9, 1943 2,372,798 Sinden Apr. 3, 1945l2,452,153 Ronning et al Oct. 26, 1948

